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BRISBANE, Feb 11 AAP

February 11 2013, 1:13PM

Hundreds of construction workers have protested outside the Brisbane offices of Lend Lease in support of a unionist who is facing 54 contempt of court charges.

About 600 members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) - carrying flags, blowing whistles and chanting - marched on the property developer's Brisbane headquarters on Monday.

They were protesting against legal proceedings brought by Abigroup, a Lend Lease subsidiary, against Bobby Carnegie, who organised an unauthorised nine-week work stoppage at one of the group's building sites last year.

Earlier on Monday the workers gathered outside the Federal Court in Brisbane, where the case is being heard, shouting "Hands off Bobby".

CFMEU state secretary Michael Ravbar says Abigroup has also brought proceedings against 15 other unionists, who could face fines of up to $15 million as well as prison sentences.